The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata, has strongly condemned remarks made by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, regarding the ongoing Emirship tussle in the state.
Ata described Gwarzo’s comments about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as disrespectful and an affront to the dignity of the nation’s highest office.
In a statement signed by his aide, Seyi Olorunsola, on Friday, the minister criticized the Kano State Government for what he termed “a penchant for lawlessness and blatant disregard for democratic institutions.” He expressed dismay over Gwarzo’s statement allegedly demanding that the President “remove the emir he enthroned and kept in a graveyard.”
“The Kano State Government, through its Deputy Governor, has once again demonstrated its penchant for lawlessness and blatant disregard for democratic institutions. By demanding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘remove the emir he enthroned and kept in a graveyard,’ the Kano State Government has extended its reckless and undemocratic conduct to the Presidency itself,” the statement read.
Ata emphasized that the Emirship matter remains a subject of litigation and, therefore, should not be subjected to public political manipulation. “Such an unguarded and irresponsible statement only exposes the Kano State Government’s failure to grasp the basic principles of governance, federalism, and democratic engagement,” he added.
He accused the Kano government of making “incendiary and contemptuous statements” in an attempt to pressure the judiciary and undermine the rule of law, describing such conduct as “sheer political rascality and a complete lack of respect for democratic norms and due process.”
The minister issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Kano State Government to withdraw the remarks and offer a formal apology to President Tinubu.
“Failure to comply with this demand will leave critical stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) with no choice but to seek redress through all available legal and political avenues,” he warned.
Ata also reminded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and his administration that “the Presidency is not an extension of their local political theater,” stressing that the Office of the President must be accorded the highest level of respect.
“If the Kano State Government believes it has a legitimate claim, it must channel its grievances through proper legal and constitutional processes rather than resorting to incendiary rhetoric and public grandstanding,” he advised.
The minister reiterated his commitment to upholding democratic institutions and ensuring that no state government “no matter how desperate” undermines the rule of law.
“The people of Kano and Nigerians at large deserve leaders who understand governance, not politicians who thrive on reckless propaganda and political thuggery,” he stated.
“Nigeria is a nation governed by laws, and no amount of intimidation or reckless utterances will change that reality,” the statement added.